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Distribution and replication of the pathogenicity plasmid pPATH in diverse populations of the gall-forming bacterium

Dan M Weinthal1, Isaac Barash, Mary Panijel

  • 1Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|October 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Pantoea agglomerans gains pathogenicity through pPATH plasmids carrying a pathogenicity island. The plasmid

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Plant Pathology
  • Bacterial Genetics and Evolution
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pantoea agglomerans transitions from commensal to pathogenic strains via pPATH plasmids.
  • These plasmids contain pathogenicity islands (PAIs) with essential virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic basis of pathogenicity in Pantoea agglomerans.
  • To analyze the structure and function of the pPATH plasmids and their pathogenicity islands.

Main Methods:

  • DNA typing using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
  • Plasmid construction and replication analysis in Escherichia coli and Pantoea agglomerans.
  • Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of pathogenicity islands.

Main Results:

  • pPATH plasmids possess nearly identical replicons with high similarity to IncN plasmid proteins.
  • A minimal replicon (pRA6) supports replication, but the full replicon (pRA1) is required for pPATH plasmid expulsion and loss of pathogenicity.
  • Pathogenicity islands show similarity within P. agglomerans pv. gypsophilae groups but differ from P. agglomerans pv. betae.

Conclusions:

  • pPATH plasmids are likely iteron plasmids, with repeats regulating replication.
  • These plasmids exhibit broad host range and may have evolved from a common ancestral plasmid.
  • Understanding pPATH plasmid evolution provides insights into bacterial pathogenicity.

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